Latest news with #cottage
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
What we know about the new search for Madeleine McCann
Police are searching derelict farm buildings in Portugal for evidence related to Madeleine McCann 's disappearance 18 years ago. The search is focused on an area near a cottage where Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect, used to live. Investigators are acting on a reported tip-off, hoping to find Madeleine's body or clothing, using tools like shovels, pickaxes, and ground-penetrating radar. Christian Brueckner, a German national, is the main suspect but denies involvement; he is due to be released from prison in September after serving time for a rape conviction. Madeleine's parents have vowed to continue their search for answers, marking the 18th anniversary of her disappearance and what would have been her 22nd birthday.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Decision on Swanmore's cottage demolition plan delayed
The decision on a plan to demolish a cottage that hundreds of people have opposed will not be taken until at least owner of the building has applied to knock it down and replace it with two new two-storey homes with parking in Swanmore, opposed to the project told Winchester City Council that it dates back to the 16th Century but Historic England experts said it was first built in the mid-19th online petition has been signed by about 900 people and another 200 people have submitted objections to the local authority. A document submitted by a council case officer shows the application will not be decided until at least 18 grandson of the house's previous owners set up the online petition because he said they sold it believing that it would be lived in by the new owners. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Globe and Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Hoping to cash out, a wave of retiring cottage owners face a buyer's market
For decades, Susan Van Norman's family cottage in Muskoka, Ont., was a cherished summer retreat. Her parents built the cottage in 1973, and it was later inherited by Ms. Van Norman and her sister, Christine Ransom. It has been a gathering place for their three kids and seven grandchildren, who have spent long summer days fishing off the dock and have etched each person's height and age on a measuring stick in the small kitchen. But at 71, Ms. Van Norman is retired and no longer able to shoulder the burden of maintaining it. The next generation isn't in a position to take it on either. After a harsh winter made the upkeep feel especially daunting, she and her sister decided it was time to let the property go. May brings a chance to reset in Ontario cottage market Ms. Van Norman plans to list the property within the next month, hoping for $800,000 to $850,000, but she's anticipating she may need to drop the price closer to $750,000 to make a sale before the season ends in October. Ms. Van Norman is part of a wave of retirees looking to off-load recreational properties, but they're running headlong into a challenging market for sellers. At this point last year, would-be cottage sellers were optimistic about the 2025 selling season. Inflation was easing, interest rates were dropping and there were expectations that consumer confidence would bounce back. But economic headwinds, including Canada-U.S. trade tensions and a federal election at home, have meant that the Canadian housing market, which was poised for a comeback, has stalled. It's no different for the recreational property market, which got hit by a spring ice storm that delayed the traditional start of the selling season in Ontario. These factors have injected a fresh dose of uncertainty for potential buyers. 'We're two months behind in sales,' said Anita Latner, a broker with Anita Latner Realty in Muskoka. 'If you're buying a cottage, it's definitely a buyer's market.' Since the beginning of May, inventory has surged in the Ontario cottage market. In southern Georgian Bay, realtor Mike Kearns said, 'supply is now outstripping demand in nearly every micromarket.' On Ms. Van Norman's Street alone, two cottages are already up for sale. John O'Rourke, owner of Royal LePage Lakes of Muskoka Realty, said that while listings in the region have reached a 10-year high, sales are down 50 per cent from the same time last year. Retirees are one of the primary drivers of the recent recreational market activity, according to Re/Max, which reported this month that the segment is fuelling recreational market activity in 70 per cent of regions surveyed. The survey also found that 17 per cent of cottage owners planning to sell in the next one to two years are doing so because their children aren't interested in taking over. Another 17 per cent are planning to sell as part of an estate decision. This generational shift is expected to trigger a significant transfer of recreational property wealth – and could free up more cottage inventory that might, over time, improve affordability for younger buyers. But in the short term, the influx of listings is intensifying competition among sellers, forcing many to adjust their pricing expectations. 'You have to price strategically enough that you have a stronger value proposition than your competition,' said Mr. Kearns. 'Buyers who are out shopping right now are looking for deals.' Affordability remains top of mind for cottage buyers: 57 per cent of those surveyed by Re/Max cited a reasonable purchase price as a must-have, while 35 per cent pointed to manageable maintenance costs. Some retirees are weighing whether to wait for conditions to improve before selling, realtors say. But holding out comes with its own risks. 'They have to consider the carrying costs of the cottage for another year,' Mr. O'Rourke said. 'Maybe you get 5 or 10 per cent more if you wait, but that could easily be eaten away by maintenance, insurance and general upkeep.' That's why realtors say preparation is more critical than ever for those looking to sell. Recreational properties that are clean, staged, freshly painted and professionally photographed – including aerial footage – have the best shot at attracting serious offers in a tepid market. Ms. Van Norman isn't holding her breath for a better deal next year. Her goal is simple: to sell and close the chapter on a home that has meant so much to her family. She understands the cottage market isn't in her favour, but for her, waiting isn't worth it. 'It's time for it to go,' she said.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
The vine-covered cottage nestled in a picturesque valley that could be YOURS for a very affordable price
City-dwellers fantasising about escaping the rat race for the countryside have been left shocked by the price of a quaint Aussie cottage. The bite-sized home in Birralee in the whimsically named Meander Valley in Northern Tasmania is accepting starting offers of $335,000. 'Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of the countryside, listen to the native birds and wildlife, and soak in the peace and quiet,' the listing reads. 'Experience the joys of rural living while still being conveniently located near local amenities. The property offers easy access to roads, ensuring a seamless connection to nearby towns and services.' The duck-egg blue cottage is only minutes away from a five-star bakery in nearby Exeter and is a 40-minute drive from Launceston. The home is draped in flowering vines and surrounded by a prim garden and acres of forest described as a 'canvas' for its future owner's dream home. The listing quickly went viral online with one Aussie commenting: 'That's it. I am moving to Tassie. This would be perfect for me'. 'I think I found our forever home. Close to Exeter Bakery,' a second wrote. 'Tassie? A little cottage? Needs some work but very cute,' a third said. 'One more inconvenience and I'm running away to Tassie. This property looks beautiful,' a fourth agreed. However, not everyone shared the vision. 'So the house is, a garden shed?' one wrote. 'Too expensive,' another said. 'I love it when people see a house on the internet or some real estate's website and decide to buy only to find out it needs a lot of work,' a third realist wrote. The home does not contain a bathroom and is not a class 1A Building, meaning it is not suitable for living. However, some viewers noticed the value of the property lay in its 25acre footprint. One woman offered her friend, 'wanna move to Tassie lol cabin can be the first house and you build your dream one on 25acres'. The listing said the Ginns Road property contained several desirable attributes. 'Rural Living zoning (Meander Valley Council); Natural spring fed dam; Natural seasonal creek,' it said. 'Mix of cleared land and bush; Gravel driveway; Three water tanks.' The 'fully fenced' established permaculture garden with fruit and vegetable trees was also considered a major drawcard. 'This versatile land is perfect for a variety of uses, whether you envision a charming cottage, a spacious family home, or a cozy hut nestled among the trees. The possibilities are endless!' potential buyers were told.
CBC
21-05-2025
- CBC
Footage captures fire at Peter Nygard's former cottage in Whiteshell
A livestream and a home security camera at a property in Falcon Lake, Man., captured a Tuesday, May 20 fire that burned down a cottage formerly owned by disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard.
